According to Charedi media, the rally was triggered by the
arrest of a yeshiva student pulled straight from the Beis HaMedrash — a
young man said to be genuinely devoted to full-time Torah study. This, they
claimed, was the first time such a thing had happened, and it became a rallying
cry.
Among the many voices commenting afterward, one I saw in
particular stood out. A Modern Orthodox man, whose family has served in the
IDF, wrote that while he believes Charedim should serve in some capacity, he
sympathized with those protesting this specific arrest. If someone is truly
dedicated to Torah learning, he argued, he should be left alone.
I don’t question his sincerity — and I don’t entirely
disagree. But desire and determination alone should not automatically grant
exemption from national service. There must also be capability and measurable
commitment. A just system must distinguish between those genuinely immersed in Torah
study and those simply avoiding duty. Exemptions — yes. Universal exemptions —
no.
In truth, I doubt the government seeks to draft every
Charedi. They would likely be satisfied enlisting only those who are not
learning full-time. There are enough such individuals to help meet the IDF’s
needs and ease the crushing burden on reservists who have endured repeated and
extended tours of duty.
This rally, however, did nothing to advance that goal. It
only inflamed tensions, paralyzing Jerusalem and deepening resentment. Even if
no one explicitly spoke of a “war against the Torah,” that sentiment hovered in
the background — reinforced by the past rhetoric of Charedi leaders who depict
the government as anti-religious. When those leaders speak, their followers
listen.
That mindset — the belief that any call for military
participation is inherently anti-Torah — is what troubles me most. I don’t
question the sincerity of their prayers; I question the message those prayers
send to the rest of Israel. Most Israelis saw this rally not as an act of
faith, but as a rejection of the state itself and of the IDF that protects it.
A view constantly uttered by Charedi leaders and their politicians in the Knesset
Which brings me to Jonathan Rosenblum’s recent column.
Though firmly within the Charedi world, Rosenblum has repeatedly lamented his
community’s failure to engage with secular Israelis — particularly now, when
many have turned back to Judaism since October 7th. Instead of
outreach, he writes, the Charedi world has responded with defiance, especially
on the draft issue.
Rosenblum — and others like him — deserve our support. They
value Torah learning and respect those truly devoted to it, yet they also
recognize the need for Charedim to share the burden of defending their country.
A resolution is possible. But it will require the Charedi
leadership to lower the rhetoric and acknowledge a simple truth: Although there
may be some individual exceptions - the government’s goal is not to wage war on
the Torah, but to protect the nation — including the Torah world itself.
Will that happen? Probably not. But it should.
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